VANCOUVER — Like just about everyone else, John Tortorella is intrigued by Zack Kassian.

He sees the combination of size, strength and skill and thinks about the kind of player Kassian could become.

“You know, I have heard so many good things about him,” the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks said Wednesday as his players went through off-ice fitness testing on the first day of training camp. “I haven’t seen him play that much. I didn’t see him play in Buffalo because he didn’t. In the tape I watched here I didn’t see him play much, but I have talked to a lot of people about him.”

Tortorella also made a point of talking to Kassian this summer. He called him and let the 22-year-old winger know that big things are expected of him. He challenged him, basically, to become the player so many people think he can be.

“I want to give him a huge opportunity to be a huge part of this team and I told him that,” Tortorella said. “I will tell you that, I want to give him an opportunity because of what people have told me about him.”

Tortorella is on record saying he wants the Canucks to be a more difficult team to play against. He has suggested the team needs more “bite” and clearly recognizes that Kassian -- at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds -- is a guy who could provide some of that push-back.

“It’s something that I think the team needs as far as his willingness, as far as him playing into a bigger role with the team,” he said. “I’d like to see it happen, he is going to to get the opportunity but he is going to sink or swim himself . . .So that is why I contacted Zack. I think this is a big year for him and it’s a year I want him to step out of himself and be a big part of this club.”

Tortorella said Kassian will be given an opportunity to skate with the Sedin twins early in training camp.

“In scrimmage games right away here he will get an opportunity,” Tortorella said. “I don’t want to get too far ahead as far as exhibition (games), but he will get an opportunity to play in a top-six position.”

Kassian met with reporters before Tortorella made his comments, but he clearly recognizes this is a big year for him.

“I am excited about the opportunity,” he said. “I think everyone is as a team. We are excited with the new coach, the new challenges. Personally, I am excited to show what I can do and earn a spot on this team as a key player.”

Kassian was acquired in the Feb. 27, 2012 trade that sent Cody Hodgson to the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo had selected Kassian 13th overall in the 2009 draft and Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis said the Canucks envisioned Kassian becoming a dominant power forward.

So far, Canuck fans have only seen occasional glimpses from Kassian. He played 39 of 48 regular-season games last season. Kassian got an early look with the Sedin twins last season and initially flourished. He scored five of his seven goals last season in the first seven games, but as the season progressed Kassian’s role seemed to diminish. He spent many nights skating on the fourth line.

““It is always tough when you bounce around on lines, but I don’t like using excuses.” Kassian said. “I need to get more consistent.”

He would welcome another opportunity to skate with the Sedins.

“With open arms, obviously,” he said.

Kassian appears to be in the best shape of his young pro career. He looks leaner and acknowledges losing some body fat. He said that is a direct result of some hard work he did this summer with Ontario-based strength and conditioning coach Dave Orton.

Kassian feels not only stronger, but faster. He also thinks he’s more mentally prepared for the rigors of NHL life.

“I feel like I have grown this summer and come in more mature, stronger and in better shape than last season and that’s all you can expect. I am going in with open eyes this year and I am excited for the new challenges ahead.”

Tortorella said it will be entirely up to Kassian what role he ends up playing on the team. He will be given every opportunity to succeed and Tortorella said he will try and be patient with him.

“He is a young kid, that is part of the process is patience,” Tortorella said. “It’s not that we think he is going to step right in and be a top 3, 4 or 5 forward right away, but we want to give him an opportunity, we want him to feel good about himself. I want him to understand that going into camp and I think he does know he is going to have to earn everything he gets.”

Vancouver Canucks winger Zack Kassian talks to reporters during a media availability on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at Rogers Arena, at the opening of the NHL team’s training camp.

Photograph by: wayne leidenfrost, PNG

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Specific content such as articles, photos and images are subject to the copyright of their respective owners, including, without limitation, Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.